The Smerconish Podcast

Also, listeners from across the country weigh in with passionate opinions, real-world experiences, and sharp disagreements on fairness, trust, and access in American elections. Is a strict deadline the key to confidence—or a barrier to participation? This is a conversation at the heart of democracy heading into the next election cycle. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com...

Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Should mail in ballots have to be received by Election Day to be counted? A Supreme Court case out of Mississippi could reshape how votes are counted nationwide, with justices appearing ready to reject laws allowing ballots to arrive after Election Day. Michael Smerconish breaks down the legal arguments, the role of federalism, and what’s at stake for voter...

Michael Smerconish reflects on the life and legacy of former FBI Director Robert Mueller following his passing — and reacts to the controversy surrounding Donald Trump’s shocking public response. Joined by journalist and historian Garrett Graff, author of "The Threat Matrix," the conversation explores Mueller’s decades of public service, from Vietnam War hero to the man who reshaped the FBI after...

Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: "Will the new U.S. - Iran talks be successful?" Michael begins with a dramatic 48-hour ultimatum to Iran and a looming military deadline, then adds a critical postscript near the end of this episode: an early-morning reversal from President Trump delaying strikes for five days amid “productive” talks. That late-breaking addendum forces a complete reset of t...

Michael Smerconish speaks with Washington Post tech columnist Shira Ovide about a new analysis of how artificial intelligence could reshape the workforce. It’s not just about which jobs are most exposed to AI—it’s about who can adapt when change comes. From white-collar roles like journalists and PR professionals to hands-on trades that may be safer (for now), the conversation breaks down the four...

Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Should non undercover police be allowed to wear masks? Michael Smerconish examines a timely and contentious issue at the intersection of public safety and civil liberties. As concerns grow over doxxing and digital exposure, some argue masks are a necessary safeguard for law enforcement. Critics counter that visible identity is essential for accountability i...

Michael Smerconish dives into the controversy surrounding Senator Markwayne Mullin’s nomination and the questions swirling around his claims of “special assignments” overseas. Joined by Washington Post reporter Liz Goodwin, Michael breaks down a tense Senate hearing where lawmakers pressed Mullin on ambiguous statements about war, classified trips, and his past. Is this a case of miscommunication,...

Michael breaks down today’s poll question: Does reforming ICE justify TSA agents missing their paychecks? As airport delays grow and thousands of TSA workers go unpaid amid a government funding standoff, Michael explores the real-world impact of political gridlock. Plus, an update on the Iran intelligence controversy. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for inform...

Michael sits down with political analyst Mark Halperin to unpack a turbulent moment in Washington — from Joe Kent’s sudden resignation and growing divisions inside the GOP to the escalating conflict with Iran. Was there truly an “imminent threat,” or is the administration struggling to justify its actions? Halperin breaks down what the White House knew, how the politics are shifting, and whether T...

Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Who do you believe on whether Iran posed an imminent threat to the US? Joe Kent, who says no, or Mike Johnson, who says yes? Michael Smerconish connects the dots across a week of polling that reveals deep skepticism about the Iran conflict—culminating in a dramatic split between a former top counterterrorism official and House leadership. With echoes of Ira...

Richard Clarke served for thirty years in national security roles in the US government, including ten years in the White House under three presidents. He is the CEO of Good Harbor Security Risk Management.  Find him here. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: "For those who oppose President Trump, which matters more, his political defeat or a US victory against Iran?" Michael Smerconish reacts to a striking poll result showing most respondents don’t believe the U.S. is winning in Iran—and asks whether political bias is shaping that perception. He explores competing narratives about the conflict, media framing, a...

Michael Smerconish examines the Iran conflict through two very different lenses. Admiral James Stavridis explains the military realities of the Straight of Hormuz, drones, minesweepers, and the risk of a prolonged war. Then legendary trial lawyer David Boies argues that partisanship should not dictate how Americans judge President Trump’s actions on Iran. Listen in, and please rate, review, and sh...

Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: "Is the US winning the war with Iran?" Michael Smerconish revisits Donald Trump’s famous “we’re going to win so much” campaign line and applies it to the current conflict with Iran. Militarily, the U.S. appears to be hitting its targets and degrading Iran’s capabilities—but does tactical success equal victory? Drawing on reporting about the Strait of Hormuz...

Michael Smerconish asks a provocative question: Is Donald Trump the most consequential president of the last 100 years? To explore it, he’s joined by presidential scholar Dr. Michael Genovese, author of more than 50 books on leadership and American politics. Together they examine Trump’s impact on the presidency, executive power, immigration, the courts, and America’s role in the world—while compa...

Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: "Who will be the 2028 GOP nominee—Rubio, Vance, or neither?" The 2028 race may be years away, but the jockeying has clearly begun. Michael breaks down fresh reporting from The Wall Street Journal detailing how President Trump is privately sizing up Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio as potential heirs to the MAGA movement. Betting ma...

The Justice Department released millions of pages tied to Jeffrey Epstein — but weeks later, no new charges have followed. Why? Michael Smerconish sits down with former federal prosecutor and Politico senior writer Ankush Khardori to unpack what the Epstein files actually reveal — and what they don’t. Was there evidence of a broader international child sex trafficking ring? Did the DOJ cover anyth...

Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: "Which is more irrational: Trump Derangement Syndrome or Trump Devotion Syndrome?" Michael Smerconish explores whether intense opposition to Donald Trump is more irrational than reflexive support for him. Prompted by a caller’s phrase “Trump Devotion Syndrome,” Michael uncovers a peer-reviewed academic study examining whether political bias toward Trump is...

Find Mark Halperin at 2WAY, The Next Up Podcast , and on SiriusXM's Megyn Kelly Channel. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: If the war in Iran were to end today, would the US have been victorious? Michael breaks down the case for calling it a win: a decapitation strike that killed Iran’s supreme leader, significant damage to its nuclear and military infrastructure, and a show of force that may have restored U.S. deterrence—without boots on the ground. But Iran hasn’t surrendered...

Is the war in Iran nearing its conclusion — or is it only just beginning? Michael Smerconish speaks with Admiral James Stavridis, former Supreme Allied Commander of NATO, about conflicting signals from Washington. President Trump says the war is “very complete.” Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth suggests major phases of the campaign haven’t even begun. Admiral Stavridis weighs in: Has Iran’s military...

Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: "War in Iran: Is this the end of the beginning or the beginning of the end?" President Trump says the conflict is “very complete, pretty much,” while Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth insists the campaign is “only just beginning.” So which is it? In this episode, Smerconish breaks down the striking contrast in messaging, the military realities on the ground, a...

Are America and Israel heading toward a strategic collision over Iran? Michael Smerconish speaks with Dr. Thomas Wright of the Brookings Institution about growing tensions between Washington and Jerusalem as the war with Iran escalates. Is Prime Minister Netanyahu seeking regime change while President Trump looks for a quick “mission accomplished” exit? And what happens if oil prices spike, region...

Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: "How long will Khamenei’s son last as Iran’s supreme leader? Less than a week, less than a month, less than a year, or longer?" In the wake of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s assassination during joint U.S.-Israeli strikes, Iran’s Assembly of Experts has named his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, as the new supreme leader—plunging the region deeper into crisis. Oil prices h...

Are these markets more accurate than traditional polling? Do they invite insider trading and corruption? Should Congress ban wagering tied to government decisions? And is betting on regime change ethically different from betting on the Super Bowl? From Iran to Texas Senate races to the Oscars, this conversation explores the explosive rise of prediction markets — and whether they’re a powerful fore...